Saint Paul, MN|Local Classified|Gigs & Services|
Planning a Deck in North St. Paul? Don't Overlook the Railing
As deck season gets underway across Ramsey County, many North St. Paul homeowners planning a new deck put most of their attention on the surface boards and treat the railing as an afterthought. In practice, the railing does just as much work. It keeps people safe at the edges and on the stairs, and it is one of the most visible parts of the structure, shaping how the deck looks from both the yard and the street.
Railings also have to meet local building code, which sets requirements for height, baluster spacing, and strength so the deck is safe to use. Within those requirements, the style a homeowner chooses changes the whole feel of the finished space. Builders like Rosebud Decks & Porches in North St. Paul plan railings into the deck design from the start rather than adding them on at the end.
For homeowners weighing their options this year, here are a few things worth understanding before a project begins:
Material shapes both look and upkeep. Composite, aluminum, and glass railings each offer a different appearance and a different level of maintenance, from the clean lines of aluminum to the nearly invisible view through glass.
Railings affect sightlines. A composite railing creates more of a sense of enclosure, while a glass railing keeps a view open, which matters most on decks that look out over a backyard or open space.
Safety comes first. Railing height, spacing, and secure attachment to the deck framing are not only design details. They are what keep a deck safe for children, guests, and everyday use through Minnesota's seasons.
Because a railing ties directly into the deck's framing, it is far easier to plan as part of the overall design than to change after the fact. For North St. Paul homeowners scoping a deck this year, thinking the railing through early tends to lead to a safer, better looking result that lasts.